You should always sit down as a family and write what each member wants to do, see etc. Great tips.

a great read, something we all need when preparing for the big family trip

I feel all over the shop if I don’t write list and plan things haha. Good tips 🙂

So true! Great tips to hopefully allow the trip to go off without a problem.

I know a family who went away on a caravan holiday who thought they had packed more clothing than needed -including night wear for the kids….until one was rushed to hospital with appendacitus. A couple of weeks later when they were thinking about coming home the 2nd one went down with severe appendicitis too. Don’t let your kids have chewing gum unless they understand they must not swallow it. That turned out to be the cause. Luckily there was a hospital in the same town. There wasn’t many shops in the town that stocked any clothing though, so the laundromat in the caravan park was very handy. Luckily there was a small supermarket in the town where they could replenish food supplies and mosquito repellant.

I’m also a list maker. Very important!!

Always important to be organized. I have to have a list even to get a few things from the shops. I will forget to do something if I don’t.

I always over prepare, or so I’m told, but packing clothes for ‘every’ occasion can sometimes go too far with me & was never more evident than on a trip last year to NZ. My son had a smallish carry-on & a suitcase….. and NEVER opened the suitcase. Sigh.

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  • • hopefullyheidi replied
    • 11 Jun 2014 , 11:03 am

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  I’m the same I always over prepare – wherever I go. I end up lugging things around that I never use and it creates more work for me and I’ve never been able to get out of the habit- until last year in July when I took my son to the Goldcoast. We took only carry on suitcases (but large ones) and I had a large tote bag. When we got to our hotel and had to store our luggage before check in at 2pm the guy looked at me and more or less said is that all? Never in my life have I taken just the right amount. It was great and I really enjoyed not having the massive surplus I normally do. It was really a once off though and I’m
  Still trying to break my habit lol.

I disagree with one thing – there’s no way to really cut the bickering!

I always over pack and over prepare when going on holidays as a family, always take too much but you never know and hate having to go source these things once we get there.

Definitely pays to be organised and plan ahead. I’m the list queen, double checking everything ahead of time so we can have a fun time when away

I agree organisation is the key to a nice relaxing holiday for everyone.

Wow what a great check list before you head out on your trip thanks.

Great article thanks for the organisation tips will come in handy in September when we go for our next family holidays thanks for sharing!

Have to be organized definitely 🙂 I cant cope if im without a list or some form of organisation

My family member who’s staying at home. All the usual security-type things for home too go on a check-list, like mail, neighbours calling in now & then to check everything’s o.k., and not publicizing on social media that the house will be empty for days/weeks. A bit of planning makes the world of difference.

You are so right about being organised and having lists. I love lists even for short trips. Better than last minute hassles.

Having a few hundred extra dollars?…LOL
Thats never happened for me and my girls but we have managed to have short breaks away on a budget and its always been lovely.

We go camping and have a list of things we need. Its great because it really does have everything we need on it. Now if only I could get someone else to pack it and pack it back up at the end of the holiday.

It is definitely good to plan ahead